Compatible with Garmin Explore™ website and app to help you manage tracks, routes and waypoints and review statistics from the field

Up to 16 hours of battery life in GPS mode; 1 week in expedition mode lets you explore longer than ever before on a single set of AA batteries

There are some interesting advancements here. It's no surprise that the same wireless connectivity introduced in the Oregon 700 series now makes its way to the GPSMAP line. It also seems that Garmin's answer to Basecamp is to move all services to the cloud/web version with Garmin Explore.

MGNSS - Does this model support more satellite systems than just the American GPS and Russian GLONASS?

From the images, it looks like there's some changes to the physical size and layout of the device with a larger screen and higher resolution screen. And it comes with a whopping 16GB of internal storage.

Share this post

Link to post

Indeed! I used the compare feature at GPSCity and while the display is noticeably larger, the case grew modestly and the weight is the same. Clearly a new design from the chip(s) on up. I wonder if they ship to Oz?

My guess is that BirdsEye will function through the new Garmin Explore app or through Garmin Express and the subscription will be tied to the device's serial number much in the way that the lifetime city navigator maps are tied to the Nuvi and Drive devices.

I'm hoping that the new Garmin Explore app and web service, which sounds like it is a web service of Basecamp, will be available for the Oregon 700. And maybe even the older models with Bluetooth (Oregon 600) - I won't hold my breath though.

Share this post

Link to post

You've been saying that for a decade (or more) and you've been consistently correct. The hope here is for customer loyalty, something Garmin doesn't understand. Garmin needs to take a page out of the Tesla playbook.

Share this post

Link to post

Garmin does have a precedent in the automotive series for changing a paid subscription service to free ... Smartphone Link Traffic. And in that case, they did extend the free subscription to older devices that previously had to pay. But I doubt that will happen with BirdsEye.

The thing I can't figure out is why it no longer seems possible to get a paid Birdseye subscription for my old Oregon 550. Whether I try through BaseCamp or My Maps on my.garmin.com, I get a "link not found" error.

Share this post

Link to post

Garmin does have a precedent in the automotive series for changing a paid subscription service to free ... Smartphone Link Traffic. And in that case, they did extend the free subscription to older devices that previously had to pay. But I doubt that will happen with BirdsEye.

The thing I can't figure out is why it no longer seems possible to get a paid Birdseye subscription for my old Oregon 550. Whether I try through BaseCamp or My Maps on my.garmin.com, I get a "link not found" error.

Share this post

Link to post

I think this may be a good replacement for my old declining 60CSx, but s or st? I have looked at some of the other newer Garmins but am partial to buttons on my GPSR for some reason. I love the touchscreen on my smartphones though. I do load 3rd party maps onto my 60CSx and would do the same on a new unit so not sure if getting the st is worth the extra $ if maps can be loaded on the s? Seems to be back order or pre orders, so I guess it will be a while before power users get their hands on it and provide some informative reviews.

Share this post

Link to post

I think this may be a good replacement for my old declining 60CSx, but s or st? I have looked at some of the other newer Garmins but am partial to buttons on my GPSR for some reason. I love the touchscreen on my smartphones though. I do load 3rd party maps onto my 60CSx and would do the same on a new unit so not sure if getting the st is worth the extra $ if maps can be loaded on the s? Seems to be back order or pre orders, so I guess it will be a while before power users get their hands on it and provide some informative reviews.

They 66s and 66st both ship with 16GB of usable RAM, while the ST will use some of that memory for the topo map. You can load your maps to either unit like previous Garmin units.

Share this post

Link to post

Great. Can't wait for the brave souls that go first to give their reviews of not only the unit but the version one firmware. It is that initial firmware/software with all the usual bugs that makes me very hesitant to get any tech item when it is first released. Although I have been very happy with my Pixel phones right from the start.

Share this post

Link to post

No, not exactly like the Oregon 7x0. Quite a few differences, actually. Many improvements, as well as a few features that did not make the transfer.... Definitely not the same.

That is what I thought although I don't follow what you mean by "a few features that did not make the transfer"? I may be a little dense this morning but if you could elaborate on that I would be grateful. Thanks.

Share this post

Link to post

I've seen no performance difference between the different modern antennas, so personally I think it is not something to worry about.

IIRC, the patch antenna was on the front of the 450 (which makes sense if you're holding it screen-up in your hand), but it's on the back of the 600 (and possibly the 700). I noticed performance differences almost immediately when I upgraded. I can see the EPE improve if I flip the 600 upside-down and worsen if I flip it back upright. Unfortunately, carrying it upside-down isn't very convenient, so I usually live with the decreased performance.

Share this post

Link to post

I've seen no performance difference between the different modern antennas, so personally I think it is not something to worry about.

I agree as far as the Glonass/Gps combo.. amazing .. compared to just gps and waas..although not so much the antenna.. I just tuck the 680 into my (wifes 700 is the same) pocket and it records perfect and accurate all day in deep ravines while hiking up mountains and while bending over scrambling up rocks or down ledges,etc.

Share this post

Link to post

IIRC, the patch antenna was on the front of the 450 (which makes sense if you're holding it screen-up in your hand), but it's on the back of the 600 (and possibly the 700). I noticed performance differences almost immediately when I upgraded. I can see the EPE improve if I flip the 600 upside-down and worsen if I flip it back upright. Unfortunately, carrying it upside-down isn't very convenient, so I usually live with the decreased performance.

They moved the antenna to the very top edge for the Oregon 7x0, so it gets full view face up or face down and when held vertically.

Share this post

Link to post

Well I've had my 66s in hand for the last 24 hours and I would have to say it's a great device, the only thing I'm having a problem with is when I'm out geocaching it does not give you the option to select if the cache is found or not yet. I think it might be a software problem. The instructions says go to geocaching > log but that isn't in the device. Other than that it's been spot on the the screen is amazing.

Thanks! That is a good review, even translated from German! Interesting that they could only display 4 data fields, not two. That must either be user error or software error and hopefully is either not really the situation, or if it is, will be fixed in the first firmware update. When you see their two models held side by side, the 66 really does look a lot larger! Glad I have big hands.

Edited October 28, 2018 by Cheminer Will

Share this post

Link to post

the only thing I'm having a problem with is when I'm out geocaching it does not give you the option to select if the cache is found or not yet. I think it might be a software problem. The instructions says go to geocaching > log but that isn't in the device.

Interesting. Another thing that must be a software mistake. Even my old 60CSx has that, and I have also seen it on other Garmin units. So if must either be there somewhere or be a first release mistake or something.

Share this post

Link to post

The Geocaching functionality of the 66 seems unchanged to the Oregon7x0, GPSM 64, ..: It's still not possible to do real logs using the comment you entered or send the log as filednotes to edit.

If you found a cache, it sends a default logtext . If you entered a comment when logging it does nothing. (Please confirm this behavior)

Oh, OK. I thought Tommy was saying that you could not mark a geocache waypoint as "found". Like in my 60CSx where you have a menu button choice after navigating to a cache that allows you to mark it as found and then gives you a choice to "Find Next", "Exit", and such. I thought that was what he was saying you could no longer do with the 66s.

Edited October 28, 2018 by Cheminer Will

Share this post

Link to post

Oh, OK. I thought Tommy was saying that you could not mark a geocache waypoint as "found". Like in my 60CSx where you have a menu button choice after navigating to a cache that allows you to mark it as found and then gives you a choice to "Find Next", "Exit", and such. I thought that was what he was saying you could no longer do with the 66s.